Jobs, Economy & Small Business

Growing our economy and creating jobs

While America has rebounded from the depths of the great recession, too many hardworking families in the heartland are still waiting for the economic recovery to arrive.

For me, there’s nothing more important than making sure we’re doing all we can to grow Illinois’ economy by creating an economic environment where businesses can succeed. But, as we work to achieve these goals, we also need to make sure we’re doing it in a way that strengthens working families, grows our middle-class and creates good-paying jobs across Illinois.

Bringing 21st Century Manufacturing and Jobs to our Region

I’m working to help jump-start the next Industrial Revolution right here in Illinois. Recently, I was proud to help bring the first two Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute chapters to Rockford and the Quad-Cities. This program will help these communities position themselves as global leaders in advanced engineering by connecting local industries to advanced tools and expertise. Additionally, by partnering with government and academic institutions, the Digital Manufacturing Labs will help prepare our workers for 21st century manufacturing jobs.

I also worked to help the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council earn designation as one of just 12 regions in the country to be a part of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Program. This collaborative effort will strengthen the earthmoving industry in Peoria by improving local parts supply chains, addressing infrastructure challenges that prevent existing businesses from expanding, and investing in workforce training to connect workers with the skills they need for local manufacturing jobs.

My vision for our region is simple – I believe that by focusing on revitalizing our manufacturing triangle region, we will help attract new employers and prepare our workers for the manufacturing jobs of the future. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing worth fighting for ever is.

Leveling the Playing Field

We have some of the best workers in the world, but far too often, we’re competing on an uneven global economic playing field that has resulted in too many good-paying jobs being shipped overseas to places like China and India. My standard for trade deals is pretty straight forward – if it doesn’t grow our economy and strengthen working families in Illinois, I won’t support it. But, I also think we need to take steps to eliminate any financial and tax incentives that make it easier for big corporations to outsource our jobs. Instead, we need to focus on ways to incentivize these companies to invest in our workforce and invest in American manufacturing. These are just a few of the reasons why I’m so proud to support the “Make It in America” jobs plan.

Helping Small Businesses Expand

Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, so their ability to succeed is absolutely critical to our economic future. This is why I introduced a new bill that would help small and mid-sized manufacturers gain access to new markets to increase their business. The Boosting America’s Exports Act would help small businesses and startup entrepreneurs reach their full potential by connecting them with the tools and resources they need to begin exporting American-made products to consumers around the world. By helping them expand into new markets and increase American exports, we’ll create thousands of good-paying jobs and opportunities here at home.

Below are several recent updates about the work I’m doing to grow Illinois’ economy.

More on Jobs, Economy & Small Business

The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of powerful special interests in Janus v. AFSCME undermines public sector unions Washington, D.C. – Today, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 ruling in the case of Janus v. AFSCME that undermines protections for 17.3 million public employees throughout the United States. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who represents Illinois where this […]

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos responded to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) proposal for 2019. The EPA’s announcement maintains current requirements for biofuels such as ethanol and slightly raises the levels for biodiesel. Unfortunately, it did absolutely nothing to close a glaring loophole that is undercutting biofuels and hurting American […]

CNBC highlights how President Trump’s rapidly escalating trade war is putting farmers at risk Washington, DC- Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) responded to news that Soybean futures have plunged to a nine-year low on the heels of President Trump launching trade wars against China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union. As was reported in CNBC […]

WASHINGTON– Late last night, Congresswoman Bustos voted to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018. This legislation takes critical steps in improving our nation’s water infrastructure through the authorization of Army Corps of Engineers’ water resources projects. Additionally, this legislation includes Congresswoman Bustos’ bipartisan bill, The Navigation Workers Protection Act, which will […]